Teachers call for strike in southern Mexican state (Oaxaca)

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=394623&CategoryId=14091

OAXACA, Mexico – SNTE teachers union members have voted to go on an indefinite strike starting Monday in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, a move that affects 1.3 million students, union leaders said.

The decision to go on strike was made Saturday after SNTE Local 22 members decided that state officials had not made satisfactory concessions in negotiations, union leader Azael Santiago Chepi said.

The teachers plan to occupy the main plaza in Oaxaca city, the state capital.

The union is not making any pay demands, focusing instead on educational and social issues, Chepi said.

Teachers want better uniform allowances for students, computers in all of the state’s elementary schools and electricity in all schools, the union leader said.

Union members also want officials to find Carlos Rene Roman, a teacher who disappeared on March 14, Chepi said.

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